From the announcement released today by Range As a result of the discussions with, and presentations to the TFG, the acting TFG Minister for Oil and Gas committed the TFG to further support Range in its development of Puntland with an agreement that the TFG will recognise and uphold the key terms of Range’s Contract of Work within any national framework of mining and petroleum legislation enacted as part of the Somali unification process which the TFG is involved in. Paragon.....any comments?

^^^^^^^^^^LOL! then why do I keep reading references to warlords?

Duke, range no longer has exclusivity over the exploration activities of all of puntland, instead it now controls ( or oversees for want of a better word) 100,000 square Km's, 110,000 square Km's were handed back to the puntland government to do as they please. i believe it is for this reason the chinese have been entertained by Muse. MMA, the deal has to go ahead, time costs a lot of dollars, the exploration deal will go ahead. I agree paying off warlords is not appropriate, however they will have to be dealt with as there authority is not always consistent with that of the goiverning body of puntland. In any civilised country such warlords will be dealt with harshly by the law, why shouldn't it be different here?

MMA, I guess we have different senses of humour and I misinterpreted yours. I am sure you don't want a little resource wars or skirmishes or conflicts by the native Aboriginals against the state governments burning up north at Darwin in Australia or Adelaide at down south. In australia there is always native claims going on only when the land becomes of considerable value, often if the aboriginals get enough money they shut up and let progress occur, if there is no value in the land then it is almost worthless to them as well because they cannot extort money from industries. I guess if the warlords get enough money then they will be happy for exploration to go ahead. but what will they do with the money, keep it for themselves or share it with their people. If they keep it for themsleves, then who is the evil one, the warlords or range.

^^^^^^^^^ Paragon, so when you say The elders who are the leaders of this region feel offended for Cade to make agreements over the land while paying no respect to them are you trying to tell us he was annoyed that he received no money to allow access to the land or is he protecting it for it's sacredness? MMA, I didn't know art mastered the Soomaali language. Art, can you kindly translate the article, baliis? you mock me but say little when I answer you. here, let me paint a brighter picture for you http://www.allsbc.com/xulasho.php?id=80 I'm sure the "bribe" money will benefit many somalians as will the royalties that exploration will provide for the somali people. Without exploration would somalia still be riddled by pirates and warlords? and what benefit to the many people of somalia do these warlords and pirates provide?

Miskiin, surely you don't need any help reading the article...LOL! of course you know it's about ranges commitment to the airport to the tune of $250,000.

Shirkada Range oo $250,000 ugu deeqaday Puntland Garowe-17.July.2006 Shirkadda baarista Kheyraadka ee Range ayaa ugu deeqday jeeg dhan $250,000 oo doolar dowlad goboleedka Putnland taasoo lagu bixin doono dhisnaha garoonka dayuuradaha ee Garowe. Wasiirka warfaafinta ee dowlad goboleedka Puntland C/raxmaan Maxamed Bangax ayaa SBC u sheegay in jeega lacagtaasi ay shirkadu gacanta ka saartay issimada deegaamada Puntalnd gaar ahaan issimada gobolka Nugaal. Wasiirku wuxuu sheegay in shirkadda Range ay bixisay Jeegaasi lacagta xaflad qado sharaf ah oo lagu qabtay magaaalada Garowe oo uu ka soo qeyb galay madaxweynaha dowladda Federaalka kmg ee Soomaaliya C/laahi Yuusuf Axmed iyo wafdigiisia iyo mas'uuliyiinta sar sare ee maamul goboleedka Puntland. Sidoo kale Kulankaasi waxaa goob joog ka ahaa wakiillada shirkada Range oo beryihii dambe ku sugnaa Puntland. Sidoo kale waxaa kulankii maanta ka qeyb galay maamulka gobolka iyo Issimada deegaamada Puntland. Issimada waxaa u hadlay Islaan Ciise wuxuuna uga mahadceliyay shirkada Range deeqdaasi lacageed ee ay ugu deeqday in lagu kabo dhismaha garoonka dayuuradaha ee magaalada Garowe. Wuxuuna sheegay in nabada ka jirta Puntland ay issimadu diyaar u yihiin inay ku soo dhoweeyaan cid kasta oo gacan ka gaysanaysa horumarka dalka.

Uchi, whats that got to do with the current situation. Range resources is a lot more than Mr Povey. Would you also call Sir Sam Jonah corrupt because he is the chairman of Range http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/global.influentials/stories/jonah/ For your information, Sir Jonah has also been an adviser to the puntland government. Would you also call Mr Bogor corrupt because he is on the range board. Would you call garoweonline corrupt for spreading mis-information, probably not because you sympathise with garowonline. Would you call a company corrupt and greedy if they improve the economy of the local country.

As-Safiir As-Sakhar, thank you for your words, certainly clear up a few things. Uchi, yes i am a range shareholder. Range does have Cade Muse's nephew as a director, I don't think he will discourage drilling, but rather encourage it. A new director has also joined Range, Sir Sam Jonah, who is Muse's advisor and a noted business man in the oil industry. Once range begins it's program, employment will be produced, infrastructure will be developed and revenue will be generated which will go into the TFG and puntland coffers, how can this be a bad thing for somalia, a country lacking infrastructure, employment and money. Dr Faroole, yes, I am well aware of him, and it makes sense that Uchi is a relative of the ousted minister. Obviously he carries a lot of bad blood.

i'm sure Paragon, being an expatriat, lives in a life of relative luxury unlike his brethren in Somalia. Range will share their rewards with the local people, one wonders how much Paragon contributes to the betterment of his mother country.

Paragon,in 6-12 months time we shall see There isn't an Ausie, Yankee or Brit institutionalization procedures operating on the ground, it is dog eat dog that reigns supreme

Miskiin, our guess because of our cultures apart I did not understand it as a joke, however, thank you for pointing the comments out to me. I believe you are incorrect about ranges prospects in puntland. They have received parliamentary ratification. I believe that the state of puntland, unlike the rest of somalia has a more unified, stable and progressive government which present itself as an example for the rest of somalia. The area I believe is peaceful. Puntland will lead the way for somalia and will prosper, not just because of range, but because of it's foresight. Range has made tremendous inroads into it's projects with the appointment of a very well regarded and respected chairman, Sir Sam Jonas, and it's take over of consort. Once explorations and production commence Puntland will be rewarded.

Can someone give me a translation or a summary of the following text, especially the nine points listed. http://www.garoweonline.com/2004pro/index.php?id=4331 • C/llahi Yusuf ma tegi doonaa PL ayadoo aan Baarlaamanka DFKMG ah ansixin xeerkii shiidaalka... Waxaa Heshiiska bilow ah oo baarintaanka iyo soo saaritaanka macdanta iyo shidaalka uu dhex maray Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland iyo Shirkadda Consort/Range Resources , 30 bishii siddeedaad (Agoosto) ee sannadkii 2005, kuna dhex maray magaalada Dubai ee dalka imaaraadka Carabta: 1. In shirkadda Consort /Range Resources ay baarin macdaneed iyo shidaal ka fuliso dalka Puntland muddo Afar sano ah 2. in shirkadda Consort/Range Resources ay baaridda kaddib u gudubto soo saarista khaaraadka ka soo baxa baarista afarta sano, waxaana heshiiska baarista la gelayaa muddo afar bilood ku siman oo ka bilaabata maanta (July 12, 2006) 3. Dhulka waxaa loo qaybinayaa waaxyo (Blocks) iyadoo shirkadda Consort/Range Resources ay caddayn doonto waaxyaha (blocks) ay danayneyso si aan block-yada kale aysan ugu xayirmin 4. Heshiiska rasmiga ah ee wax qaybsiga waxaa la gelayaa markii la gaaro wax soo saarka 5. in shirkadda Consort/Range Resources ay gacan ka siiso DGPL meel marinta kaabayaasha dhaqaalaha iyo horumarinta arrimaha bulshada 6. Waxaa labada dhinac isla ogolaadeen in ay soo kasbaan shirkado kale oo wax ka fuliya hawlahaasi 7. In haddii uu khilaaf dhex maro DGPL iyo shirkadda Consort/Range Resources lagu xalliyo dhex dhexaadin sida uu qabo xeerka caalamiga ah ee Rugta Ganacsiga Caalamiga ah, goobta dhex dhexaadintuna waxa ay noqoneysaa magaalada Dubai ee dalka Imaaraadka Carabta 8. Haddii ay soo baxaan cillado heshiisku uu la socon waayo oo dhinac dalbado i uu heshiiska ka baxo waxa uu waqad qoraal ah lix bilood ka hor u soo gudbinayaa dhinaca kale inta aysan dhammaan mudada heshiisku. 9. Inta laga samaynayo sharciga macdanata iyo shidaalka oo heshiiska lagu wada yahay waxaa lagu dhaqmayaa kii dowladdii hore ee Soomaaliyeed Qodobadaas waxa ay madaxda sare ee DGPL (Madaxweynaha iyo ku xigeenkiisu) ku macneeyeen heshiiska ay Puntland la gashay shirkadda consort/Range, laakiin laguma lifaaqin qoraalkii rasmiga ahaa ee muujinayey heshiiskii rasmiga ahaa ee lagu kala saxiixday Dubai iyo qoraalkii lagu soo dhisay shirkadda Consort oo ay xubno ka yihiin wasiirada dowladda Cadde. Waxaa jira warar hoos ahaan looga helay ilo ku dhow dhow madaxtooyada DGPL, kuwaas oo sheegaya in markii uu dhacay iska hor imaadkii Majahan ee dadka degaanku ay kaga soo hor jeedeen in halkaas laga baaro macdan aan iyaga lala tashan,in warkii markii uu gaarey suuqa ganacsiga ee Australia (ASX) ay aad hoos ugu dheceen saamiyadii shidkadda Range Resources, isla markaas ayaa shirkadda Range waxa ay joojisey lacagtii ay siin jireen madaxda sare ee DGPL, waxana ay ku xujeeyeen Puntland in ay keento in heshiiskaas uu ansxiyo Baarlamaanku iyo in uu aqbalo madaxweynaha DFKMG, Cabdullaahi Yuusuf si sayladaha Australia loo tuso saxiixaan oo markaas saamiyada kor loogu soo saqo (habkaas oo adduunka looga yaqaan Market Manipulation), markaasna lacagtii dib loogu bilaabo Puntland, lacagtaas oo qaybteedii hore oo lagu qiyaasay 3 million oo doolar aysan ku dhicin khasnada dowladda . Dhowaan ayaa la filayaa in madaxweynaha DFKMG uu arrintaas u tago Puntland, waxaanse la hubin in madaxweyne Cabdullahi Yuusuf uu tegi doono Puntland ayadoo aan weli baarlamaanka DFKMG la hor geyn xeerkii khayraadka Soomaaliya ee magaalada Malidi lagu soo agaasimey ee ra'iisul wasaaraha lagu wareejiyey June 12, 2006. Sidoo kale lama oga in madaxweyne Cabdullaahi Yuusuf marka uu tago Puntland uu wax ka dhehi doono Qoraalkii ay Isniin June 12, 2006 soo saartay "Northbridge Services Group" (NSG) oo ahaa in dowladda Federaalka Kumeelgaarka ee Soomaaliya (DFKMG) ay NSG u ansixisay lahaanshaha gebi ahaanba xuquuqda bixinta heshiisyada shidaalka Soomaaliya. (AKHIR: "NSG" Waa Shirkad Caynkee ah). Isla markii (July 12, 2006) baarlamaanka Puntland uu ansixiyey qodoba sagaalka ah ee kor ku xusan waxa ay shirkadda Range Resources qoraal u dirtay suuqa ganacsiga ee Australia, qoraalkaas waxa ay isla markiiba ku cadeeyeen in dhulka ay baarayaan shirkadaasi uu yahay 100,000 square km, iyo qodobo kale. Waxa kale oo ay halkaas kusoo bandhigeen sawiro ay lahayd shirkada Conoco lagana qaaday Dooxada Nugaal. Qoraalkaas Ka eeg halkan ama Halkan ka eeg... (pdf)

Miskiin, I cannot but help recall your words And what you were looking, just the breaking news is in: The Buntilaan parliament cancelled its contract with Range Resources Ltd. Sad for you, I guess. Better find another 'investing' endeavour in Liberia or Sierra Leone

• GAROWE, Somalia July 12 (Garowe Online) THE PUNTLAND Parliament formally ratified an exploration agreement on Wednesday presented by the Administration in a majority vote. The "Puntland Agreement" was signed in mid-2005 between the Puntland State government and Range Resources, Ltd., an Australian exploration company. After 2 days of debate, 55 Puntland lawmakers out of a total of 66 ratified the "Agreement" – a day after President Mohamud "Adde" Muse addressed Parliament and informed them of changes to an article in the "Agreement." On Tuesday, President Adde told legislators that the "exclusive rights" article was removed from the original contract, which allows Puntland to be divided into "blocks" and that "other companies" are welcome to explore the region's rumored natural resources wealth. Efforts to implement the "Puntland Agreement" were met with heavy resistance from local populations in the past, which prompted the Administration's change of policy in seeking parliamentary approval.

This article highlights the safety of puntland and the need for economic development which can help fund somali universities. Developments such as that which range resources wishes to do will be a massive bonus for the local economy of puntland. Economic developments will improve the standard of living in somalia which some of the expats enjoy. U. Minnesota: Minnesota group to visit Somali education system 523 words 28 June 2006 U-Wire English © 2006 U-Wire. All Rights Reserved. U-WIRE-06/28/2006-U. Minnesota: Minnesota group to visit Somali education system © 2006 Minnesota Daily Via U-WIRE By Marni Ginther, Minnesota Daily (U. Minnesota) MINNEAPOLIS -- What might have looked like a dinner among friends Monday at the Riverside Avenue Perkins was, for some, the beginning of an important journey. About a dozen people representing several Twin Cities colleges and local Somali organizations met there for a farewell dinner. Six of them are leaving for Somalia on July 1. The group will attend educational conferences, meet students and professors and possibly teach classes, said Jennie Kratzer, co-founder of Somali Family Services, a Minneapolis organization serving Somali immigrants. The group will spend time at Somalia's Nugaal University and Puntland State University learning how to improve Somalia's education system. The country's lack of a unified government and deep divisions among political factions made a stable educational system difficult in recent years. Somali Family Services and Minneapolis Community and Technical College have raised enough money from the Somali community to give 30 students at the universities a $300 scholarship. The money will cover a year's worth of tuition, said Abdurashid Ali, co-founder of Somali Family Services. Group members will also work with students and educators at the two universities to form stronger ties with Somali students and professors here in the Twin Cities. "We want to bridge understanding on three levels -- college to college, professor to professor and student to student," said Deborah Johnson, a former University faculty member who now teaches at Inver Hills Community College. Johnson, who teaches intercultural communication, is also the adviser for a Somali student group at the college. She said that after the trip she will have her students keep in contact with people she meets in Somalia. "We want to make these connections on a really personal level," she said. The prospect of making personal connections with students in Somalia was one thing that drew University global studies senior Nimo Farah to attend the dinner. As former vice president of the Minnesota Somali Student Association and an active member of the University's Somali Student Association, she said she wanted to learn more about the work the group will be doing. "I want to see how we can involve students in this kind of work -- in mentoring or raising money for these universities in Somalia," she said. Farah, who is a Somali immigrant herself, said she also wants to form ties with students back in Somalia simply to show them they haven't been forgotten. "People think you become American and you forget your culture," she said. "But you have to remember there are students in Somalia, where everything is war-torn, yet they're still seeking an education. And here, we complain if we have to do homework while our favorite TV show is on." The group will also make a documentary of the trip, which will air on Twin Cities Public Television sometime after the group returns July 25. ##30## Distributed via M2 Communications Ltd - http://www.m2.com

^^^^^^ nope!

Miskiin, I'm still here, reading and learning. Glad you haven't changed your tune.

could someone please provide an English summary of the above article.

BoiBoi,garowe online had the letter of gedi dated 18/5/6 posted on it's website prior to it having been received by Cade Muse, this letter was damning of the company and it's agreements. The publishing of the letter prior to the company having access to it may have serious implications according to ASICS, any reputable media outlet in Australia would know that. Just recently some media representatives faced criminal charges in australia for publishing information which was protected by law. regarding untruths about somalia being told on a daily basis in our papers, to be quite honest with you, I cannot remember the last time I read an article regarding somalia in one of our newspapers. Freedom of speech has restrictions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech

Maakhir, garoweonline is a company registered in Australia. As such it is subject to australian law which I believe it has broken.

I found this article quite hilarious, can I have some views of people that can understand the interview http://www.bbc.co.uk/somali/somali_1400.ram Range Resources is gun toting gang, said by President Adde Muse of Puntland state to BBC-Somali service. BBC- The Somalia service:- Range Resources is gun toting gang and mafia of first class, they do carrying guns on their shoulders and we knew about it while choosing them. “We chose them knowing about their Mafia, gang type characteristics, we knew they are armed and carry guns on their shouldersâ€, said by Mr. Adde Muse of Puntland. "We did not had many choices as the oil magnate did not want to talk to us directly due to the situation in Somalia, instead we chose this gang knowing their background and arms, we knew it and took the risk since giant oil companies were not willing to come in", he continued. He also mentioned that despite their unknown background, the fact that they are a tinny company and their mafia role, yet he believes that range resources may succeed to attract some oil companies. The BBC correspondent then asked the question to the Head of Somalia Parliament, “Sir, now that the president of Puntland informed us about the gangster motives of Range Resources and specially that they are fully armed, what will be the TFG standâ€?. The visiting head of Parliament of Somalia (TFG) Mr. Sharrif Hassan, similar to all the other delegates, was not prepared for this sudden and unexpected change of mood of his host, so in order not to cause any further embarrassment to the many astonished audience, he diplomatically mentioned that Somalia Federal Government will soon have subsoil and mineral laws that will be passed by the parliament and since all Somalis are represented at the Parliament, the law will be for the one and the only Somalia in this world. The unexpected, sudden, frank and true words of the Puntland president about Range Resources, created uproar and disbelief equally to both those who were supporting the deal and those who were apposing it, while Adde’s sudden truth exposed Range Resource in big time specially as far as their credibility and legal stand point is concerned. This sudden comments from president Adde Muse, is preceded by the recent press conference made by Mr. Liban Boqor, representative of the president , nephew and now Range Resources board member who publicly admitted about the death of 7 people after Range Resources security guards were attacked by what he called villagers. This seems to be a major blow to Range Resources’s public denial reported to Sydney Morning Herald on 18th April, where the executive chairman of range resources Mr. Mike Povey is reported to have said “No one killed in Puntland operations, Range insistsâ€. President Adde’s interview with BBC provided volunteered and substantial evidence beyond doubt that Range Resources is armed and had direct role in what happened at Majiyahan and elsewhere in Puntland. For a sometime, most of the families who either lost loved ones or were displaced, during the attacks of militia loyal to Adde Muse and Range Resources ,were preparing a law suit against Range Resources for their direct involvement in the battles that took place at Majiyahan and caused death to more than 20 people and displaced thousands of villagers. This also includes the intended motion at Somali TFG parliament prepared and filled by representatives from Puntland state, asking the Australian government to compensate the death and displacement suffering caused by Range Resources.

http://www.voanews.com/mediaassets/english/2006_05/Audio/mp3/MALLARD_SOMALIA_PUNTLAND_23May06.mp3 interview regarding gedi and Puntland

Somali premier promises to resolve dispute with Puntland over oil deals 286 words 24 May 2006 04:14 BBC Monitoring Africa English © 2006 The British Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Text of report by Somali independent Shabeelle Media Network website on 23 May A press statement has been issued by the Office of the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government [TFG] of Somalia in Baydhabo [alternative spelling Baidoa] town on the differences between the TFG and the Puntland administration over natural resources. Reports say the Puntland administration accused the TFG of violating the agreement which the two sides agreed upon. The TFG minister of information, Muhammad Abdi Mareye, outlined the purpose of the press statement and explained the Puntland accusations and the TFG stand on the accusations. The minister of information dismissed the Puntland accusations, adding that the existing minor differences would be ironed out and the relation between the two sides would be restored. In a statement he issued, Puntland President Adde Muse criticized Prime Minister Ali Muhammad Gedi over a statement he issued recently in which he said the Puntland administration had no mandate to sign contracts with foreign companies to prospect for natural resources [oil and minerals] in Puntland-controlled territories. In his statement, the Puntland president said he would have no links with the TFG government as long as Prof Ali Muhammad Gedi was prime minister. The Puntland administration had recently signed an agreement with an oil exploration firm to prospect for oil and minerals in Majiyahan District of Puntland, which led to clashes between militias from the district and the Puntland police force. The Majiyahan District militias were opposed to the Puntland administration's decision to allow foreign firms to carry out oil exploration in the area. Source: Shabeelle Media Network website, Mogadishu, in Somali 23 May 06 a47805a5

Baashi, please read page two of the following article http://www.rangeresources.com.au/asx/puntland%20brochure%20version4%20minerals-1.pdf In August 2005, Consort Private Limited (“Consortâ€) entered into a “Contract of Work†(“CoWâ€) with the Government of Puntland providing Consort with the exclusive explorations and development rights to oil and gas and all other mineral deposits for a minimum term of 4 years - with rights of extension - and the right to defi ne and allocate exploration leases over the whole State during such 4 year period. Bonus Payments totalling US$10 million over a four year period are required under the terms of the CoW.